St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-04


ing behind her fan.
"A home of peace and lovew
That was LeOnie'S modest desire, if
her own word was to be taken, and
Fred imagined her administering
angel" therein. She had been with him
more than once when the frightful
heart-SpaSms that were his mother S
sad legacy had followed some great eX-
element, and, to do her justice, all the
true woman came forward at such times.
There was but little to do, but that lit
tie was done tenderly and deity. His
necktie and collar loosened. his head
raised, Fred would recover to find
Leonie tanning him gently, his face
wet with her soft handkerchief upon
his forehead, and her eyes, full of
wOmanly tenderness, fixed upon his
own.
Knowing herself anSwerable for the
attack. by some word of encouragement
for his mad passion, LeOnie would dra W
back for time, only to meet reprOacheS
and the threat of worse trouble by the
excitement of despair. She had played
with edged tools till she could handle
hem very Skilfully, but these cut her
conscience sharply ct times.
Yet she could not drop the dangerous
game, because, after all. she might do
worse than marry Friedrich La Rue.
He cannot live long" she wrote in
confidence to her mother. land 100000
would be comfortable fortune for his
widow. The trouble is that he will not
be of age for nearly two years, and may
die before he can make will! Still,
shall keep him as my 'fOrlOrn hope Be
sure you keep your eye Oh Mr.. DOlman,
if. as you write, you think my absence
hor 1lx,O hn
proposes | will return at once, for, as
you say, it will not do to let such an
offer as that pass now. Six years ago |
should have refused him. but, between
ourselves, opportunities increase in
value as years pass by"
Keeping Fred as ''fOrlOrn hope"
meant to give him just enough of en-
enlargement to make Mrs. La Rue
nearly frantic, and at the same time
keeping clear of an actual engagement.
ITO tell the TRUTH Miss Castlemaine
wrote. Il am dreadfully weary of Fred's
raptures. He is such a boy yet in feel
ing and words, that his love has no
shades or refinement. and is as blunt
and OutspOken as child's delight over
toy. The least smile, tiniest word of
hope, sends him into the seventh heaven
of ecstacy, while frOwn or cold look
reduces him to despair. 1t was amusing
at first, but has become tireSome, Imo-
gene is in agonies: but really, mamma,
if the heart disease is hereditary, l
don't see why should feel so much re-
SpOnSibility. One would think, to hear
her. that she was actually answerable
for his life.''
And poor Imogene would not have de-
MED the statement. ''LOOkers-On." we
are told, ''See most of the game" and
ImOgene looked on until her heart grew
sick. She thoroughly understood Lee
Onle'S tactics. yet to send her away
would probably make matters worse, as
Fred was sure to champion her cause,
and would probably follow her. Words
of warning were wasted; remonstrances
were in vain; and the sacred charge her
husband had left her had become the
misery of the conscientious woman's
life.
''Can you not see," she asked Leonie,
with all her heart-anguiSh In her voice,
THAT you are killing Fred?"
Don't eXaggerate So" was the cool
reply.
Il do not eXaggerate. He has wasted
to a shadow since you came, and his
color fluctuates till it terrifes me. |
tell you that he cannot bear this strain
of excitement"
''HOw can | help a boys foolish in
fatuatiOn? l have had dozens of boys
i'll love with me, and they all got over
it. Calf-love is ever in extremes, lmO-
gene"
Fred is man in feeling, Leonie.'' =
Bah! He will forget me in month
after leave"
The winter wore away and April
came; but LeOnie said nothing of re-
turning home until the month of show
ers was half gone. Then a momentous
letter came. Mamma had succeeded
where LiOnie had failed, and Mr.. Dol
mans heart, hand and fortune were
laid at the feet of Miss Castlemaine.
EXultant, and without one pang of
Self-reprOach, LeOnie wrote maidenly,.
charming letter of acceptance. and con-
cluded her letter to her mother with the
words:
Il will be with you Thursday. Have
my trOuSseau under way by that time,
and do not spare expense. l can soon
repay all you spend"
She took the letters to the post herself,
and coming back III the dusk of twilight
found Mrs. La Rue and Fred in the
porch, the air being soft as June.
''Why did you go alone?" Fred asked,
reproachfully.
She laughed sweet, silvery laugh be-
fore she answered. .
Il must learn to do without you,
Fredl l am going home Thursday"
''GOing hOme,' he faltered. his very
lips white.
Yes. my long holiday is over and
mamma writes thatIreally must superin-
tend the last touches to my trouSSeau."
"Your trousseau" exclaimed Mrs.
La Rue, sharply.
did l not tell you," asked Leonie,
with well-acted surprise, THAT l am
engaged to Mr.. Dolman?" ,
There was strange, hOarse cry as
Fred started to his feet, with the face of
man who is sFangling. Mrs. La
Rue's arms were about him in a minute,
go away" she cried, as Leonfe
loosened Fred's necktie. You have
killed him."
But Leonie did not go, for in another
moment it took the strength of both
women to hold the hoy" working in
coEvulsions. Cries brought the serv-
ants, and man was sent for the doctor,
but before he came Fred'S life-struggle
was over: and Leonie Castlemaine
knew that her heartless Irritation had
killed him